This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by 沈富猷
Navigating Imposter Syndrome as a New Developer
My journey into software development began just a month ago, placing me firmly at the starting line of this career path. This reality struck home when I received a blunt comment on my recent article: "The term 'imposter syndrome' doesn't really apply if you are actually an imposter."
While my first instinct was to dismiss this as the work of an internet troll, I couldn't ignore how it resonated with my own feelings. I found myself wanting to defend my opinions precisely because I'm new to the field. Part of me yearned to project confidence and pride, while another part wanted to remain invisible, fearing exposure of my perceived inadequacies. Regardless of my reaction, I knew someone would inevitably try to convince me my feelings were unfounded.
The challenge, then, becomes finding equilibrium between acknowledging how much there is to learn and cultivating the confidence necessary for success. While I don't have all the answers, I'd like to share my thoughts on this journey.
The Reality of Being a Newcomer
Entering the professional development world is a humbling experience. On my first day, I walked into the office surrounded by colleagues whose technical expertise and years of experience seemed immense. This environment filled me with awe—I felt honored to have secured the position while simultaneously recognizing I was likely the least knowledgeable person in the engineering department.
Rather than letting this trigger imposter syndrome, I chose to view my position as an opportunity. I felt grateful for the chance to learn from such experienced professionals. This perspective is actually quite advantageous when you're just starting out—you have unlimited potential for growth and can only move up as you gain knowledge and skills. This won't be my permanent place in the knowledge hierarchy.
The Confidence-Competence Connection
"Perhaps most striking of all, we found that success correlates more closely with confidence than it does with competence."
― Katty Kay, The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance
Last year, I read an insightful book about confidence's role in personal achievement. I wasn't entirely surprised, though somewhat disappointed, to learn that confidence actually contributes more to success than competence does (though I'll save the discussion about gender differences in confidence for another time). This insight has stayed with me, reminding me that mastering technical skills alone won't necessarily lead to achieving my life goals.
This understanding has influenced my approach to my current work. When I push even the smallest piece of code to production, I make a conscious effort to celebrate the victory rather than instinctively explaining how much longer it took than expected or how I essentially copied and pasted to make it function. This outward confidence strengthens my resolve for taking on the next challenge and ultimately makes me feel more capable.
Embracing the Art of Questioning
While it may seem obvious to ask questions when you don't understand something, the psychological barriers can be significant. I've occasionally worried that admitting my ignorance about what should be fundamental knowledge might reveal me as the "imposter" others suspect I am.
However, my experiences have consistently shown that asking questions is met with positivity rather than judgment. On several occasions, my questions have even been appreciated. For instance, when I asked what DLQ meant (dead letter queue, as it turns out), another team member expressed visible relief, admitting they'd been wondering the same thing for some time.
My process for contributing to meetings that currently exceed my expertise follows these stages:
- First, I observe and absorb as much information as possible
- Next, I ask clarifying questions about what I don't understand
- Eventually, I'll be able to contribute meaningfully to the conversation
Currently, I'm focusing on the first two stages. While I don't yet have the knowledge or experience to offer valuable input in architectural design meetings, I recognize that asking about the concepts that confuse me is the only path toward eventual contribution.
Finding Your Voice as a Junior Developer
At this stage, it seems improbable that I could attend a meeting and identify something experienced engineers have missed. With their comprehensive understanding of our codebase and extensive experience, how could my few weeks of work reveal insights they haven't already considered?
This fear of speaking up mirrors my hesitation about asking questions—it feels like a quick way to expose my inexperience. Recently, I voiced disagreement regarding a portion of a ticket. Although the team decided I should proceed with the ticket as originally written, a senior engineer later approached me to thank me for speaking up and acknowledge that I had made a valid point.
Even when my suggestions are overruled, I recognize the importance of building these habits. I want to develop into someone who feels confident enough to voice improvements when I see them, knowing this confidence will ultimately make me a more valuable team member.
Taking Calculated Risks
"Don't pretend to be anything or anyone - simply take action. Do one small brave thing, and then next one will be easier, and soon confidence will flow. We know - fake it till you make it sounds catchier - but this actually works."
-Katty Kay, The Confidence Code
I love this quote because it provides a practical path to building confidence. While the concept of overcoming imposter syndrome sounds good in theory, the actual implementation can be elusive.
My first pull request submission was intimidating, but the second proved easier. Similarly, my first experience with a 2-point ticket felt daunting (and took far longer than it should have), but I now know such tasks can be accomplished. However, I haven't yet taken substantial risks in my work, limiting myself to front-end issues where I feel somewhat capable.
As I enter my second month as a developer, it's time to challenge myself more. I'm ready to tackle those intimidating C# back-end tickets.
Understanding the Universality of Imposter Syndrome
To me, imposter syndrome closely resembles the fear of failure. Building confidence serves as an effective countermeasure. Each time I undertake a task that feels beyond my capabilities or presents a risk of failure, and subsequently succeed, I prove a part of my imposter syndrome wrong while simultaneously building confidence for the next challenge.
When these feelings arise, it helps to remember you're not alone—FreeCodeCamp referenced research indicating that up to 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. You're not alone in trying to find this balance between acknowledging your limitations while projecting the confidence needed to succeed.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by 沈富猷
沈富猷 | Sciencx (2025-10-17T09:18:19+00:00) Balancing Confidence and Imposter Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/10/17/balancing-confidence-and-imposter-syndrome/
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